I didn’t really know what to expect from Aloft. I knew it was the new affordable option from the W Hotel team – but had no idea what that would actually look like. A design hotel without the designer costs? Interesting.
Aloft is situated right next to London’s Excel Centre – and when we say that it’s right next to the Excel, we mean it. So close in fact is the building, the second floor balcony links up with the conference hall; ideal for any attendee of London’s largest conferences.
As you walk into reception, you notice the wide, open spaces – part of the design brief that carries through all 50 or so Aloft hotels worldwide. The decor is modern and sharp – the staff are smart but causal and uber-friendly, this is a hotel that doesn’t feel stuffy or “overdone”, in fact it was a really relaxing welcome.
After check-in I took the lift to my 5th floor room. There was no view to speak of, unless of course the Excel car park takes your fancy, but the room itself was great – with a quirky layout (you pretty much walk straight into an almost open plan bathroom), big bed and good tech. All good.
For as little as £63 per night you can enjoy a comfortable room, a great gym, splash pool and a rather swanky bar snappily entitled w xyz. Fans of things social media will be pleased too, upon checking in (on Foursquare), first time visitors are offered ten percent off their bill. A nice touch that’ll surely please the forward thinking traveller.
The room was a bit too cold for our tastes (no one likes getting into bed fully clothed waiting for the fans to get moving) and we’d wholeheartedly recommend that the manger adds ‘check alarm clocks’ to the maid’s checklist upon guest check out: being so close to City airport we imagine the previous occupant of our room had an early flight to catch (a 5am Sunday morning alarm clock sounding off left us somewhat unamused).
Those issues aside, the restaurant was nice (with great recommendations from the on-hand staff) and the gin wasn’t bad either. As we said, for £63 per night, it really is hard to find faults with Aloft’s intentions… which brings us back to the locale.
Situated as far out of Central London as the hotel is, a city airport layover or an Excel-based business trip are probably the only reasons anyone would need to stay here. But, given the competition, Aloft pretty much has this market sewn up. And let’s be honest, you don’t always NEED to stay in a hotel. Sometimes you just choose to. And this is definitely a nice choice.
Good job.
Enjoy this post? Why not click and SUBSCRIBE to TLLWTL now?!
JJ - Editor
Londoner. Excessive Tea Drinker. Foodie. Party Goer. Geek. Email jj@thislittleladywenttolondon.com.
Follow Me:
Aloft Hotels are making it easy breezy for you to experience Aloft London Excel, book your stay early and save as much as 30%. Offer valid until 29 February 2012.
7-day advance booking required
Related Listing
-
1
-
Review: 5* Threadneedles Hotel
The Threadneedles Hotel is a huge, almost stately-like hotel that sneaks up on you within the tight ...
1 -
The gorgeous Dorset Square Hotel to open it's doors on 18th June...
We absolutely love the Firmdale Hotel properties, and love that they have chosen to open yet ...
1 -
London News: BUKHARA Pop-up at Sheraton Park Tower for 2 Weeks Only...
We love Indian food here at TLLWTL, so were rather pleased to hear today that Bukhara, the ...
